MOUNTIA
`
`US 20060147079A1
`
`(19) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2006/0147079 Al
`Jaakkola
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 6, 2006
`
`(54) EARPHONE
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 30, 2004
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Mikael Jaakkola, Turku (FT)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WARE FRESSOLA VAN DER SLUYS &
`ADOLPHSON, LLP
`BRADFORD GREEN, BUILDING 5
`755 MAIN STREET, P O BOX 224
`MONROE,CT06468 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Nokia Corporation
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/026,561
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`HOAR 25/00
`(52) US. Ch. occ 351/380; 381/374
`(7)
`ABSTRACT
`An earphone for multiple listening applications is config-
`urable betweenafirst operative state definingafirst ear canal
`interlace for call managementlistening applications and a
`second operative state defining a second ear canal interlace
`for music listening applications,
`
`al
`
`J
`
`Sb
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1142
`APPLE 1142
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 6,2006 Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`kK
`
`|
`
`j0
`
`
`
`ric.
`
`|
`
`2
`
`

`

`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`Jul. 6, 2006 Sheet 2 of 9
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`FEC. 2
`
`Peron ART
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 6, 2006 Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`Opror ART
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 6,2006 Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`PIG y
`
`PRToRm ART
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 6,2006 Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`ar
`
`J jee
`
`Sb
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 6,2006 Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`AL
`
`J
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 6,2006 Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`FIG 7
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 6,2006 Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`fPxuG. &
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 6, 2006 Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`Jul. 6, 2006
`
`EARPHONE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The present inventionrelates generally to headsets
`and deals more particularly with a configurable earphone for
`multiple listening applications.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Headsets are gaining in popularity in and outofthe
`workplace as more and more users have jobs requiring that
`they spend a substantial amountof time onthe telephone or
`users simply desire to listen to audio or to speak on the
`telephone with their hands free to perform other tasks.
`Headsets, particularly earphonestypically available for use
`with portable electronic equipment such as mobile tele-
`phones and music players are ill-fitting and not designedto
`couple tightly to the ear opening of a user and therefore
`provide poorisolation fromexternal audible noise. Priorart
`headphones suchas illustrated in FIG, 2 are available that
`cover the outer ear and provide better acoustic isolation, but
`they are generally bulky and unattractive and poorlysuitable
`in manysituations particularly where portable voice com-
`munication or music playing devices are used. Additionally,
`the failure of most earphones to provide acoustic isolation
`frequentlyresults in the user compensating by increasing the
`level of the sound and the user experiences a less than
`desirable listening experience particularly for listening to
`music. Suchprior art headsets have poor acoustic coupling
`to the ear canal which poor acoustic coupling is compen-
`sated for by utilizing a larger speaker and/or more powerto
`drive the speaker to provide sufficient volume to be heard
`over the background noise. The disadvantage ofincreased
`powerusage Is not usually a major concernfor wired devices
`but generally reduces battery life for mobile, portable elec-
`tronic music players and mobile telephones.
`
`It is also knowninthe prior art to provide a type of
`[0003]
`headset referred to as an “in-the-ear” headset whichis also
`referred to as an “earbud”or conchastyle headset suchas for
`example as illustrated in FIG. 3 and described in U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,810,987 which position the speakerinside the concha
`in close proximityto the ear canal between the inner surfaces
`ofthe tragus slot and concha wall to retain the speaker. This
`prior art configuration operates with lower speaker drive
`power and has improved acoustic coupling to the user’s ear.
`However, such prior art earbuds are uncomfortable to wear
`and are generally not desirable for call managementlisten-
`ing applications,
`
`[0004] Another prior art earbud headsetis illustrated in
`FIG. 4 wherein the earplug is inserted into the ear canal to
`providetight acoustic coupling to block out external sounds
`to provide good music listening. The advantage ofsuch a
`priorart earplug is a smaller speaker element canbe utilized.
`One major disadvantage with such a prior art earplug, which
`is also knownas a deep thrust earplug, 1s that the earplug is
`difficult tofit into placein the ear canal and is uncomfortable
`to the user. Prior art earphones suchasillustrated in FIG. 4
`are disclosed for example in WIPO Publications WO2004/
`064443 A2 and WO2004/077924 A2.
`
`earphonefor use in multiple listening applications to provide
`a good call management listening experience and a good
`music listening experience.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`invention, an ear-
`In accordance with the preset
`[0006]
`phone for multiple applications such as call management
`listening applications and music listening applications is
`presented. The earphone includes a main body element
`having a first side defining an ear facing portion and a
`second side disposed in a spaced relation opposite the first
`side and defining a closed portion. The ear facing portion is
`configurable and has two operative states whereinthefirst
`state definesafirst ear canal interface for call management
`listening applications and the second state defines a second
`ear canal interface for music listening applications. ‘The ear
`facing portion further comprises a communication channel
`member having a sound emitting end portion and has a
`pre-defined axial
`length dimension. The communication
`channel member has a suitably sized and shaped outer
`surface for complementary engagement with the outer por-
`tion of the entry to the ear canal. An outer peripheral cup
`wall is substantially concentric and in a spaced relation with
`the communication channel memberand the rim of the cup
`wall is suitably sized and shaped for overlapping coverage
`and contact with the ear. The outer peripheral cup wall is
`made of a suitable memory retention deformable material
`and has a first axial lengthin the first operative state wherein
`the sound emitting end portion of the communication chan-
`nel member extends afirst distance above a plane passing
`transversely through the rim of the cup wall such that the
`sound emitting end portion of the communication channel
`memberis positioned in a spaced distance with respectto the
`entry to the ear canal whenthe earphone is wornbya user.
`The outer peripheral cup wall is folded back and defines a
`folded rim having a second axial length less than the first
`axial length in its second operative state wherein the sound
`emitting end portion ofthe communication channel member
`extends a seconddistance above a plane passing transversely
`through the folded rimof the cup wall such that the outer
`surface of the communication channel member sound emit-
`
`ting endportionis positioned in contact withthe entryto the
`ear canal whenthe earplug is worn by a user. The earphone
`further includes a speaker elementcarried by the main body
`elementfor producing audio signals such as voice commu-
`nications and music. The outer peripheral cup wall is made
`of a suitable elastomer material.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0007] FIG. 1 is anillustration ofthe relevant parts of a
`typical humanear.
`
`[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a prior art
`headset covering the ears ofa user.
`
`[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a prior art
`earbud headset shown inthe ear ofa user.
`
`[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a prior art
`earbud headset showninserted into the ear canal ofa user.
`
`Prior art headsets and earplugs are not suitable to
`[0005]
`provide both call management listening application and a
`music listening application utilizing the same headset.
`Accordingly, there is a need for a headset particularly an
`
`[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration ofthe headset
`embodying the present invention showing the configurable
`earplug in its first operative configuration for interlacing
`with the ear canal of a user.
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`Jul. 6, 2006
`
`(0012] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration ofthe headset
`embodying the present invention showing the configurable
`earplug in is second operative configurationfor interfacing
`with the ear canal ofa user.
`
`portion of the entry to the ear canal 20. The ear facing
`portion 40 also includes an outer peripheral cup wall gen-
`erally designated 52 which is substantially concentric with
`and in a spaced relationship to the communication channel
`member 44. The rim 54 formed at the edge of the outer
`peripheral cup wall is suitably sized and shaped for over-
`lapping coverage and contact with the helix 10 of the user’s
`ear. The outer peripheral cup wall
`is made of a suitable
`memory retention deformable material such as an elastomer
`[0014] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration ofthe earplug of
`material and hasafirst axial length 56 inits first operative
`the head set embodying the present inventionin its second
`state wherein the sound emitting end portion 46 of the
`operative configuration showing it
`in contact with a user’s
`communication channel member 44 extends afirst distance
`car.
`
`FIG.7 is a schematic illustration ofthe earplug of
`[0013]
`the headset embodying the present
`invention in its first
`operative configuration showingit in contact with a user’s
`ear.
`
`[0015] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-section partially cut
`away viewofthe earplug of the headset embodying the
`present
`invention in ils second operative configuration
`revealing the speaker element.
`
`WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Forillustration purposes and to aid in the under-
`[0016]
`standing the present
`invention, a typical human ear is
`illustrated in FIG, 1. The outerear, or pinna,is an irregularly
`concave cartilaginous member including number of emi-
`nences and depressions whichgive eachear a distinct shape
`and form. The helix 10 is the curved outer rimofthe ear.
`Belowthe helix 10 is the antihelix 12. The antihelix 12 is a
`curved prominence which describes a curve around the
`concha 14, adeep cavity containing the entry to the ear canal
`20. The concha 14 is divided into two parts,
`the upper
`concha 16 and the lower concha 18, bythe crux ofthe helix
`22 which curves around the outside of the ear, and extends
`inwards at about the vertical midpointofthe ear. The upper
`concha 16 lies above the crux ofthe helix 22 and belowthe
`antihelix 12. The lower concha 18 lies below the crux ofthe
`helix 22 and surrounds the entry to the ear canal 20. The
`conchal wall 24 separates the concha 14 fromthe antihelix
`12. In front of the lower concha 18 and projecting backwards
`fromthe front of the ear is the tragus 26, a small semicircular
`prominence. Opposite the tragus 26 and separated fromit by
`the deep curvature ofthe intertragic notch 28 is the antitra-
`gus 30. The intertragic notch 28 is formed between the
`tragus 26 and the antitragus 30.
`
`[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically one embodiment
`ofthe present invention showing a headset generally desig-
`nated 32 having a configurable earplug generally designated
`34 inits first operative configurationfor interfacing with the
`ear canal ofa user for call management listening applica-
`tions. FIG, 6 illustrates schematically the headset 32
`embodying the present invention showing the configurable
`earplug 34 in its second operative configuration for inter-
`facing with the ear canal of a user for music listening
`applications. The earplug 34 includes a main bodyelement
`36 having a first side 38 defining an ear facing portion
`generally designated 40 and a second side generally desig-
`nated 42 disposed in a spaced relation opposite thefirst side
`38 and defining a closed portion. The ear facing portion 40
`includes a communication channel member generally des-
`ignated 44 which is generally conical shaped and has a
`sound emitting end portion 46 having a pre-defined axial
`length dimension 48. The communication channel member
`44 has a suitably sized and shaped outer surface 50 for
`complimentary engagement with the lower concha or outer
`
`dimension 58 above aplanepassing transverselythrough the
`rim 54 ofthe outer peripheral cup wall 52 such that
`the
`sound emitting end portion 46 of the communication chan-
`nel member 44 is positioned in a spaced distance with
`respect to the entry to the ear canal 20 as illustrated in FIG.
`7. In this configuration, the sound emitting end portion 46is
`in close proximityto the ear canal and audio such as voice
`communications or music is acoustically coupled to the ear
`canal 20 to provide good listening for example in call
`managementlistening applications.
`
`Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the outer peripheral cup
`[0018]
`wall 52 is folded back and defines a folded rim generally
`designated 62 wherein the earplug 34 is configured to its
`second operative configuration for interfacing with the ear
`canal of a user for music listening applications.
`In this
`configuration, the folded back outer peripheral cup wall has
`a second axial length dimension 64 in its second operative
`state less thanits first axial length dimension 56 inits first
`operative state such that the sound emitting end portion 46
`of the communication channel member 44 extends a second
`
`distance dimension 66 above a plane passing transversely
`throughthe folded rimof the cup wall 52 suchthat the outer
`surface 50 of the communication channel member 44 is
`positioned in contact with the lower concha andentryto the
`ear canal 20 as illustrated in FIG. 8 to tightly acoustically
`couple audio such as music tothelistener’s ear in a music
`listening application.
`
`[0019] Turning nowto FIG, 9, a schematic cross section
`having a partially cut away viewofthe earplug 34 ofthe
`headset embodying the present
`invention is
`illustrated
`therein in its second operative configuration wherein the
`speaker element 70 is arranged and carried by the main body
`element 36 such that sound produced bythe speaker element
`40 is transferred via the communication channel member 44
`to the sound emitting end portion 46 to acoustically couple
`the soundto the user’s ear canal whenthe headset is worn
`
`bythe user. The outerperipheral cup wall 52 is shownfolded
`back to configure the earplug for a music listening applica-
`tion. The speaker element 70is a conventionally known 10
`millimeter speaker or anyother suitable speaker capable of
`carrying out the intended function. In instances where a user
`does not desire to insert the communication channel member
`
`44into the ear canal, a larger traditional speaker such as a
`13 to 14 millimeter speaker may be utilized to provide a
`good music listening experience when the earplug is in its
`first operative configuration wherein the sound emitting end
`portion 46 is held in a spaced relationship withthe ear canal.
`The communication channel member 44 is substantially
`concentric with the outer peripheral cup wall 52 and the end
`of the communication channel member 44 opposite the
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`US 2006/0147079 Al
`
`Jul. 6, 2006
`
`sound emitting end 46 is in a spaced relationship 72 with the
`outer peripheral cup wall 52 at the attachment point to the
`main body element 36.
`
`[0020] The material of the outer peripheral cup wall may
`be of anysuitable material that retains its shape andincludes
`silicon or other soft plastic materials knownto those skilled
`in the art for carrying out the intended functions. Preferably,
`the material is a non-allergenic material and is non-reactive
`with sweat, hair chemicals, bodily fluids and the like.
`Preferably, the material is compliant to provide a tight and
`comfortable fit to the user’s ear. The material ofthe com-
`munication channel member maybe ofanysuitable material
`to carry out the intended function and includes materials
`similar to the material of the outer peripheral cup wall.
`
`It will also recognized that the configurable earplug
`[0021]
`embodying the present
`invention may be arranged as an
`“over the ear” earplug for use by auseror in other configu-
`rations and arrangements otherthan that illustrated here and
`above.
`
`The invention claimed is:
`1. An earphone for multiple applications, comprising:
`
`a main body element having a first side defining an ear
`facing portion and second side disposed in a spaced
`relation opposite said first side and defining a closed
`portion;
`
`said ear facing portion being configurable and having two
`operativestates, said first state defining a first ear canal
`interface for call management listening applications
`and said second state defining a second ear canal
`interface for music listening applications.
`2. The earphone as defined in claim 1 wherein said ear
`facing portion further comprising:
`
`a communication channel member having a sound emit-
`ting end portion and a pre-defined axial length dimen-
`
`sion, and further having a suitably sized and shaped
`outer surface for complementary engagement with the
`outer portion of the entry to the ear canal;
`
`an outer peripheral cup wall, substantially concentric and
`in a spaced relation with said communication channel
`memberandthe rim ofthe cup wall, suitably sized and
`shaped for overlapping coverage and contact with the
`ear:
`
`said outer peripheral cup wall comprising a suitable
`memory retention deformable material and having a
`first axial length in said first operative state wherein the
`sound emitting end portion of said communication
`channel member extendsa first distance above a plane
`passing transversely through the rim of the cup wall
`such that the sound emitting end portion of said com-
`munication channel memberis positioned in a spaced
`distance with respect to the entry to the ear canal;
`
`said outer peripheral cup wall being folded back and
`defining a folded rim having a second axial length less
`than its first axial length in its second operative state
`wherein the sound emitting end portion of said com-
`munication channel member extends a seconds dis-
`tance above a plane passing transversely through the
`folded rim of the cup wall suchthat the outer surface of
`said communication channel member sound emitting
`end portionis positioned in contact withthe entryto the
`ear canal.
`
`3. The earphoneas defined in claim | further comprising
`a speaker element carried by said main body element
`producing audio signals.
`4. The earphone as defined in claim 2 wherein said outer
`peripheral cup wall is made of an elastomer material.
`
`13
`
`13
`
`